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The Importance of Proper Senior Rehabilitation

The Benefits Rehabilitation Centers Offer to Seniors

The goal of any senior rehabilitation program is to help individuals get back to the level of independence to which they are accustomed to following an injury, illness or surgery. These programs often include a combination of physical, occupational and speech/language therapies depending on the needs and condition of the senior.

• Physical Therapy, or “below the waist” rehabilitation, helps speed up the recovery process by improving mobility, strength and balance after any type of illness or injury, and also can alleviate pain from chronic conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis. Physical therapy for seniors is extremely important for those recovering from an injury due to a fall, as well as after joint replacement surgery.
• Occupational Therapy, or “above the waist” rehabilitation, enables individuals to participate in activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing and eating. Occupational therapy is also vital to those recovering from an injury, illness or stroke, and it provides tools for addressing the early stages of memory loss.
• Speech/Language Therapy provides support and treatment for seniors who have difficulty communicating, hearing, swallowing or eating. Speech therapy aids in recovery from a stroke or traumatic brain injury, as well as helping with communication problems due to dementia. It can also be utilized to teach safe eating techniques to decrease choking risks in seniors.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rehabilitation

Regaining health and independence is the goal of both short-term rehabilitation and long-term rehabilitation. Depending on the needs of the individual and the requirements of the physician’s care plan, a stay in a short-term skilled rehabilitation center can last anywhere from a few days to about a month. Long-term rehabilitation, on the other hand, is needed when the illness or injury is more severe and usually lasts as long as a few months.

Both short- and long-term rehabilitation centers provide around-the-clock care, treatment, and supervision while closely monitoring the progress of the senior’s overall health.

Inpatient and Outpatient Senior Rehabilitation

Choosing inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation depends on the severity of the illness or injury, as well as how much therapy is needed for the best possible outcome. Ultimately, a physician will recommend or determine the type of rehabilitation that will provide the best results.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

At inpatient rehabilitation centers, individuals stay onsite for a predetermined length of time, whether for just a few days or up to a month or longer. Inpatient rehab is generally a more intensive option that allows seniors to solely focus on their therapy and recovery. While sometimes a lengthy commitment, inpatient therapy usually results in individuals meeting their recovery goals in a shorter amount of time.

Plus, many inpatient rehabilitation centers offer a variety of services and amenities to make life as comfortable as possible throughout their stay. Residents enjoy well-balanced, daily meals; social activities; and a stimulating environment.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient rehabilitation services are similar to inpatient rehabilitation, but instead of staying onsite, seniors live in the comfort of their own homes and travel to therapy appointments. The same highly-trained medical professionals provide physical, occupational and speech therapies, but individuals are more in control of their own recovery and how fast they progress. This means seniors must be motivated to continue their therapy on their own time at home in order to benefit as much as they would from inpatient rehabilitation.

However, when less intensive therapy is needed, outpatient rehabilitation could be a beneficial, less time-consuming option for some individuals.

Individualized Senior Rehabilitation Services at Advent Christian Village

Our mission is your recovery at Advent Christian Village! Our professional, compassionate team is extensively trained in a variety of conditions and develops individualized care plans designed to meet your specific recovery needs. We offer both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at Good Samaritan Center and Copeland Medical Center. We invite you to contact us to schedule a personal, guided tour so you can see all that ACV has to offer.